Apparatus for dispensing liquid



Sept. 20, 1960 x. MULLER APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIQUID Filed June 8, 1956 4 Sheets-SheeI 1 Sept. 20, 1960 J. MULLER APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIQUID 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1956 INVENTOR YQ my; MULLEE @m J. M

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ATTORNEY Sept. 20, 1960 J. MULLER APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIQUID 4 Sheecs-Sheecr 5 Filed June 8, 1956 IN VENTOR Jdqmes MLLER ATTORNEY Sept. 20, 1960 J. MULLER 2,953,161

' APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIQUID Filed June 8, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNvENToR (f1/QUE; MULLEB ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 20, 1966 tice APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIQUID Jacques Muller, 123 Ave. General de Gaulle, La Garenne-Colombes (Seine), France Filed June 8, 1956, Ser. No. 590,259-

Clairns priority, application France June 9, 1955 Claims. (Cl. 137-615) This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a liquid, for example a motor fuel, particularly for -xed or mobile refueling stations, intended for example for refueling airplanes or the lling of all tanks or containers by gravity or under pressure.

In a general way, the liquid-dispensing apparatus according to the invention comprises a fixed column, an extensible pole or boom articulated or pivotally connected to the top of the column and movable in all directions, in height as well as in depth or laterally, and a iller tube or nozzle articulated or pivotally connected to the free end of the pole or boom and adapted to descend into a fuel tank through au orifice on the top of the latter; or to receive a ilexible conduit terminating in a tight coupling device for the lling under pressure.

The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of several modes of carrying out the same with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view in lateral elevation of one form of the dispensing apparatus.

Figure 2 is a corresponding plan view.

Figure 3 is a view in axial section of a portion of an articulation or connection between the top of the column and the pole or boom, permitting the latter to pivot in a vertical plane. This section is taken on Vline lll- III of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a View in transverse section taken on line IV-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a partial view Vin axial section of a modication of the extensible pole or boom.

Figure 6 is a view in lateral elevation of a second modication of the dispensing apparatus.

Figure 7 is a similar elevational view with the extensible boom shown in section.

Figure 8 is a partial view intransverse section taken on line VIH-VIH of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an end view made inthe direction of arrow lX of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a partial View in axial section of Ythe crank mechanism permitting the lengthening and shortening of the extensible boom. This section is taken on line X-X of Figure l1.

Figure ll is a partial View in transverse section taken on line XI-Xl of Figure 10.

Figures 1 to 4 show the liquid-dispensing apparatus in its simplest form. It 'comprises 'a Yixed column y1, an extensible boom 2 whichis vertically and laterally orientable and mounted on the top ofthe column, and a lling tube or nozzle 3 articulated or 'connected to the free end ofthe boom. All these'elements Varetubul'ar and form the liquid-distributing conduit.

Column 1'is permanentlyA installed a't an appropriate point close to the tanks which must be illed, for example the departure area 'of an airport, and it communicates through a pipe with va subterranean source, for example. This column mounts Vat its tp 'a hollow liquid-tight ltting 4 extending upwardly by a T-connection 5. To the two lateral branches of the T-connection are articulated or connected by rotary joints the two lateral tubes 6 of a fork Whose central body is formed by a casing with a valve 7, to which is connected the boom 2. The said boom contains a telescopic tube 8 terminating in an elbow 9 to which the nozzle 3 is articulated or connected by a rotary joint 1i).

The boom 2 is provided at its free end with two lateral Vhandles 11, whereas the elbow 9 of the telescopic tube carries a handle 12.

It can be seen that this general arrangement makes it simple to fill one or more tanks of vehicles to be refueled. It suices for this purpose to bring the vehicle close to column 1, on either side of the latter. The operator grasps with two hands the handles 11 and 12, orients the boom 2 in the direction of the illing orifice of the tank, raises the boom so that the lower end of the nozzle 3 is over the tank, withdraws the telescopic tube 8 by means of handle 12 so as to bring the nozzle 3 over the iilling orifice, and lowers the boom so as to introduce the nozzle 3 into the tank. Since the refuelings are generally made under pressure, it is well understood that all the joints, as well as the telescopic tube, must be perfectly liquid-tight.

It is also necessary to provide the apparatus with a closing device that can be actuated easily by the operator. Since the casing with the valve 7 is provided at the base of the boom 2, the lever 13 actuating the valve is connected kinematically by a rod 14 to a control lever 15 articulated or pivoted to the lfree end of the boom 2 between the two lateral handles 11 and above the latter. After positioning the apparatus, and while continuing to hold the handle 12 with one hand, the operator can very easily actuate the control lever 15 so as to open the valve. The closure of the valve is assured by a return spring 16 interposed between the lever 13 and a bracket 17 which is integral with the casing of valve 7.

To avoid the necessity for the operator to hold the boom during the entire filling operation, it is desirable to equip the apparatus with a device permitting the substantially balancing of the boom in all its positions of height. In the example represented, the rotary joints of the two lateral tubes 6 of the fork connecting the casing of valve 7 to the T-connection 5 are prolonged by arms 18 in a direction opposite that of the boom 2. The titting 4 carries guiding and buttressing arms 19 oriented in the same direction as the arms 18 and extending below them. To the arms 13 are connected downwardly extending rods 20 which pass through openings in the guiding `and buttressing arms 19. Each rod 20 carries at its lower end a support disc 21 resting on an adjustable nut 22 screwed onto the rod. Between the discs 21 and the buttressing arms 19 are interposed helicoidal compression springs 23 which in this example are conical springs. It can thus be seen that an appropriate adjustment of the preliminary tension of the springs 23 permits the obtaining of yan average balancing of the boom 2, eliminating or substantially reducing the eort which the operator must exert to keep it in position at a certain height.

Figures 3 and 4 show a device permitting the locking of the boom in height by wedging, in combination with the balancing springs.

'Ihere is seen at 4 the turret or fitting, and at 24 one of the lateral branches of the T-connection 5. At 6 is indicated one of the tubes of the fork of the valve 7 (Figure l). The end of the lateral branch 24 is in the form of a cylindrical socket 25 provided with an exterior flange 26. Against this ilange is applied a dish-like member 27 having a central opening, and in which there is a cylindrical chamber. The rim of this dish-like member is flat and perpendicular to its axis. In'the cylindrical l 3V Y chamber of the member 27 is housed an annular element 28. The three elements 25, 27 and 28 are rigidly assembled by threaded studs 29. In the annular element 28 and on one side of the dish-like element 27 is housed a ballbearing 30 the internal race ring of which is xed Ainrotation with a hollow pivot 31 penetrating to the the aps of which is engaged an annular wedge 34 pushed by springs 35 bearing on a support ring 36.. 'Ihis annu- 'lar wedge is also guided axially by pins 37 integral with the ring 36.Y The cuff 33 is thus not only tightened against the bottom of the dish-like element 27 but also against the external periphery of the tube 32. The

external end of the pivot 31 is provided with a ilange 38 interposed between a circular disc 39 and the tiangeV of artubular elbow 40. These three elements are assembled rigidly to each other by threaded studs 41. 'Ihe elbow 40 is connected to the tube 6 of the fork.

It results Vfrom the foregoing that the pivot 31 is mounted so as to rotate in the annular element 28 which -Y is fixed to the socket of the T-connection. The Vdisc 39 can turn Yin relation to this annular element 28 which `has in its side near the disc 39 a peripheral channel 42 provided in the external periphery. VThe arrangement is such that a very small degree of play is allowed between the annular element 28 and the disc 39. The external diameter of the latter is equal tothat of the dish-like disc 27. On its internal surface the disc 39 has a cylindrical bearing surface 43, the diameter of which is equal to that of the annular element 28. It results from this arrangement that the elements 27, 28 and 39 formV when assembled a peripheral groove in which is mounted with free rotation a wedging ring 44. In the internal periphery of this ring are cut two notches 45 and 46, with'incurved outer peripheral walls but which are slightly eccentric with relation to the axis of the pivot 31. The outer peripheral walls of the two notches are eccentric in opposite peripheral directions. `Between the outer peripheral walls of the notches and the cylindrical bearing surface forced by the inner peripheral wall of the channel 42 are interposed two diametrically opposed rollers 47, 48, the` diameter of which are chosen such that they touch the walls ef the notches and the wall of the channel at a certain point between the ends ofthe notches. Plungers or push rods 49, 5t) mounted to slide tangentially in the wedging ring 44, and on which act adjustable springs 5i, 52, push therollers 47, 48 in the direction of narrowing the space between the ring and the pivot, so that these rollers are wedged and prevent the rotation of the ring in both directions since the annular part 28 is immobilized in rotation.

The disc 39 carries on its internal surface two fingers 53, 54, arranged so as to enter laterally into the notches on the side of the rollers opposite the push rods 49, S9. Since the disc and pivot are independent in rotation from the wedging ring, the fingers y53, 54 can be brought into contact with the rollers. If the pivot 31 is turned in a clockwise direction (on Figure4) by exerting an angular force greater than the resistance of the springs, the nger 53 will push the roller 47 against the action of the spring and overcome the wedging action, which makes it possible to also turn the ring 44since the roller 48` on the opposite side is automatically disengaged. If thepivot 31 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, the nger disengaged. Y. Y g insofar `as the immobilizationY of the boomr2 in height is concerned, itis sufficient to adjust the springs 51, 52 in such a way that the pressure exerted on the rollers is suicient to prevent their disengagement under the action of the balancing springs, and then it is only necessary to exert a slight eiort on the boom for the fingers 53, 54 -to disengage the rollers against the action of the springs 51, 52. It can thus be seen that this device is capable of holding the boom in all angular positions in height, while permitting it to be raised and lower with a relatively small eiort.

Figure 5 represents a device permitting the extension and retraction of the boom by maneuvering a crank. In this case, the movable tube 8 is mounted so that it can slide on the iixed tube 2. A bracket 55 is mounted by a clamping collar or in some other manner on the fixed tube 2, whereas another bracket 56 is mounted by a collar, but so that it can slide on the movablertube 8. The two brackets 55, 56 'are rigidly connected to each other by a spacing bar 57. In the two brackets are rotatably mounted sprocket wheels over which there extends a transmission chain 58. On the inner part of this chain is coupled a driving finger 59 which is rigidly aflixed to the movable tube 8. On the pivot of the sprocket wheel carried by bracket 55 is' mounted a crank 60. if the crank is turned in a clockwise direction (Figure 5), the inner part of the transmission chain 5.8 is drawn toward the left together with the finger 59 and the movable tube 8, whereas the bracket 56 is held in place by the spacing bar 57 and slides on the movable tube. Operation of the crank in the counterclockwise direction assures the displacement of the movable tube in the direction of extending the boom. In order to eliminate the possibility of accidental displacement of the movable tube, the crank control contains an automatic brake device according Figures 10 and ll and described hereinafter.

In the modification of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figures 6 and 7, the elements of this apparatus do not themselves form the conduit intended to carry the liquid, but carry a exible hose which makes it possible to eliminate all the sealing joints from the connections.

In this example, the apparatus still comprises la column 61 which can be ixed or mounted so as to pivot about a vertical axis. At the top of this column Vis pivotaliy connectedran extensible tubular boom in such `a manner that it can pivot ina vertical plane. The boom is formed by a xed tube 62 and a telescopic tube 63 provided lat its free end with a semicircular guide 64 athxed by a collar 65 and having a gutter of semicircular section connected to the bore of the tube 63. A mechanical jack 66 with an Aautomatic brake, similar to the device shown in Figures 10 and 1l described hereinafter, connect'ed'at one end to the base of the column 61 and at the opposite end to an intermediate point on the fixed tube 62, permits the Vraising and lowering of the boom by operating a crank 66o. The movable tube 63 is supported inside the ixed tube 62 on a train of rollers 67 (Figure 7), which facilitate its longitudinal displacement.

The flexible hose 68 can be wound on a drum 68A. It enters into the lower end of the fixed tube 62 on four guiding rollers 69 arranged in the form of the sides of a square, is supported inside the said fixed tube on the rollers 67 "disengaged by the movable tube 63, and passes into the said movable tuheron other rollers 70. It then passes into the gutter of the semicircular guide 64 and descends freely from it. This permits the free part to be oriented in any direction. t

The mechanism for lengthening and shortening of the Y boom is similar to that shown in Figure 5.

The rotation of the movable tube 63 inside the ixed tube 62 is prevented by a longitudinal rib 71 of themovable tube engaged in an internal guide 71A (Figure 8) ofthe xedtube. Y' Y The mechanism for lengthening and shortening of the boom is similar to that shown in Figure 5 except that, in this example, it drives a movable tube mounted in sliding fashion in the fixed tube. Over a longitudinal slot of the xed tubeY 62 is mounted an elongated housing 72 connected at its ends to two housings in which are rotatably mounted two sprocket Wheels over which there passes a transmission chain, as in the previously described example. The interior part of this chain is coupled to the movable tube 63 by means of a driving finger 73. On the shaft of the lower sprocket Wheel is affixed a crank 74. The functioning is substantially the same as that described with regard to Figure 5. Normally, the flexible hose 68 is retained suiciently by the guide 64 so as to be displaced longitudinally on the rollers 67 during the elongation and retraction of the boom.

Figures and 11 show a braking device which prevents the movable tube of the boom from descending under the action of its weight so as to return into the Xed tube. As it is represented, the braking device is devised so as to be applied to the crank 60 or 74 of Figures 5, 6 and 7. The lower sprocket wheel 75 is keyed to a tubular shaft 76 mounted rotatively in a xed bearing 77 in which there is provided a cylindrical chamber centered on the axis of the shaft. The tubular shaft is provided, inside the cylindrical chamber, with a cylindrical enlargement 78 adapted to turn with slight lfriction in the chamber, and in the periphery of which are cut notches 79, 80, the inner walls of which are eccentric in opposite peripheral directions. The crank 60 or 74 is part of a flange 81 keyed to a shaft 82 mounted rotatively in the tubular shaft 76. The said flange 81 has on its inner face ngers 83, 84 which are arranged so as to enter laterally into the notches 79, 80. The latter contain rollers 85, 86 which are interposed between the internal periphery of the chamber of the bearing 77 and the eccentric inner Walls of the notches 79, 80. Compression springs 87, provided on the sides of the rollers opposite the ngers 83, 84, push these rollers in the direction of the fingers so as to Wedge them between the bearing and the bushing. The operation of the crank permits the disengagement of the rollers against the pressure of the springs 87 and the turning of the sprocket wheel 75, whereas the pressure of the springs exerted on the rollers is sufcient to prevent their disengagement under the action of the weight of the movable tube. The functioning is thus similar to that which was described in detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

It is well understood that the embodiments described in reference to the gures in the drawings are not intended to serve as anything more than non-limiting examples, it being possible to conceive other variations and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having ldescribed my invention, I claim:

1. A liquid-dispensing :apparatus comprising a column, an extensible boom, means articulating said boom to the top of the column for movement in all directions, in height as well as laterally, including coaxial, relatively rotatable connections establishing an annular groove, `a ring in said groove having open-sided notches with walls that are oppositely eccentric with relation to the pivotal axis of said connections, a wall of one of said connections closing the open sides of said notches, a roller in each of said notches, spring means lurging said rollers into Wedging engagement in said notches, and means connected to the other connection extending into said notches for disengaging said rollers from wedging engagement selectively upon opposite relative rotation of said connections, whereby upon the exertion of a slight force on said boom in either direction when said boom is in any position said last-mentioned means will disengage one or the other of said rollers and permit the relative rotation of said connections and thereby the placing of said boom in any position, and the subsequent locking of said boom in any second position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, and means Vfor placing said boom in position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, and a filler nozzle pivotal- 1y connected to the free end of the boom by a sealed joint.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, Iand spring means operatively connected to said boom for balancing the same.

5. An Vapparatus according to claim 1 in which the boom comprises a fixed tube connected to the top 'of the column and a sliding tube telescopically Iassociated with the iixed tube, and a sealing joint between the sliding and iixed tubes.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 121,991 Cheney Dec. 19, 1871 719,483 Mansfield Feb. 3, 1903 2,361,214 Krone Oct. 24, 1944 2,492,049 Krone et al Dec. 20, 1949 2,503,281 Lynch Apr. 11, 1950 2,722,230 Toussaint Nov. 1, 1955 2,750,079 Trombley June 12, 1956 2,777,426 Steele Jan. 15, 1957 

